Saint Mary's College guard Stephen Holt underwent an MRI on his right knee Thursday and did not travel with the team to Kentucky in advance of the No. 21 Gaels' BracketBuster basketball game Saturday at No. 16 Murray State.

Holt told Comcast Sportsnet that he'll be sidelined at least two weeks with a partial tear of his medial collateral ligament and a bone bruise. Additionally, doctors informed him this type of injury normally takes six weeks to heal. Nonetheless, Holt remains hopeful his season is not over.

Stanford freshman diver Kristian Ipsen (De La Salle High) will compete in the World Cup, which begins Monday in London.

NFL

A source said Buffalo and free agent Stevie Johnson (Chabot College) have exchanged offers and plan to meet again next week. In the final year of his contract in 2011, Johnson led the Bills with 76 catches for 1,004 yards. Starting next week, Buffalo has the option to place a franchise tag on the emotional Johnson. But that's considered unlikely, because it would put the team in a position to pay Johnson about $9.4 million next season.

Denver signed free agent Jason Hill, a veteran wide receiver who has played for the 49ers and Jacksonville.

Advertisement

Arena Football

The SaberCats added former CFL defensive lineman Trumaine Sykes. San Jose has begun training camp and opens at HP Pavilion against Arizona on March 10.

Baseball

The Giants signed outfielder Justin Christian and pitcher Travis Blackley to minor league deals. Christian had cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Giants on Feb. 8. He hit .255 (12-for-47) in 18 games for the Giants in September. Blackley, a native of Australia, has pitched in six organizations. He had a 7.27 ERA in two late-season starts with the Giants in 2007.

Soccer

Former Earthquakes forward Brian Ching, who threatened to retire when he was taken by Montreal in November's MLS expansion draft, was traded back to Houston by the Impact for a conditional first-round pick in the 2013 SuperDraft. Ching, 33, is the Dynamo's all-time goals leader with 63.

The Earthquakes' Ike Opara entered the 2012 Olympic picture when being named to 10-day training camp roster for the U.S. under-23 team. The centerback will report Sunday to the 23-player camp in Frisco, Texas, that culminates with an exhibition against Mexico's under-23 team. Coach Caleb Porter has called up some of Major League Soccer's best young players, including FC Dallas' Brek Shea, New York's Juan Agudelo, Philadelphia's Freddy Adu and Sporting Kansas City's Teal Bunbury. The U.S. starts Olympic qualifying against Cuba (March 22), then plays Canada (March 24) and El Salvador (March 26), with all three games at Nashville, Tenn. Quakes backup goalie David Bingham (Cal High/Cal) was not selected.

Horse racing

The field for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields includes the California Derby winner (Russian Greek), two horses that competed in the Breeders' Cup last November (Daddy Nose Best and Lucky Chappy) and a filly with a three-stakes winning streak (Lady of Fifty). Saturday's race drew 10 entrants, with Russian Greek the 5-to-2 morning line favorite.